Cambridgeshire MP Jonathan Djanogly has come under fire for taking part in the shooting of pheasants and partridges.

The Huntingdon MP has been criticised by The League Against Cruel Sports for participating in a game bird shooting party.

The charity says that shooting has become controversial as it uses factory-farmed birds and threatens biodiversity including butterflies and wild birds.

Peasants and partridges are released onto shooting estates annually with the intention to be gunned down for ‘sport' (Image: Getty Images)

The league also claims that native predators such as foxes, weasels and crows are put down by gamekeepers to preserve large numbers of game birds.

But Mr Djanogly disputed this, saying shooting brings benefits for both wildlife and the economy.

The MP said:"Shooting is an integral part of rural life, underpinning the social and economic fabric of the countryside. In addition to its significant economic contribution, providing jobs and investment, shooting delivers important benefits for wildlife and habitat conservation.

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"Shooting as a whole is worth about £2 billion a year to the economy, much of it in some of our remotest communities. It supports more than 70,000 full-time equivalent jobs. Shooting is also concerned with the management of about two thirds of the UK's rural landscape.

"I will continue to support shooting sports and the rights of all those who wish to use firearms safely and in accordance with the law."

(Image: Getty Images)

Chris Luffingham, director of campaigns at the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “It is extremely irresponsible for Jonathan Djanogly MP to accept a ‘game’ bird shooting trip from industry lobbyists to an estate where up to 400 pheasants and partridges are offered up each day as feathered targets.

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“’Game’ bird shooting is losing public and political confidence because of its poor self-regulation, animal welfare and environmental credentials.

"Trigger-happy estates are releasing millions of factory-farmed birds into the countryside each year to be shot down for ‘sport’, with many of these animals ending up buried in pits, fly-tipped by the roadside or tossed into an incinerator.”